The Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) conducted a research and demonstration project to determine why more students do not bicycle or walk to school. Four school districts were selected representing urban and rural schools in the state. About 5,600 surveys were distributed to parents and students in 16 schools representing grades K-12. The high response rate (48 percent) indicates that access to school is an important issue to parents and students. Over 80 percent of parents of students in grades K - 8 said they currently do not allow their children to bike or walk to school. Concern for traffic safety, distance and inadequate sidewalks and bicycle facilities were reasons cited. Parents recognize the health benefits of bicycling and walking to school and demonstrated in the survey and at public meetings in February and May 2002 their desire to address current barriers. The State and their consultants are investigated specific safety and infrastructure problems on streets and intersections identified by parents and students. Short-term measures to encourage bicycling and walking to school were implemented at both urban and rural sites. Follow up mode of access surveys will be conducted to gauge the impact of these measures. Long-term measures including education, encouragement, enforcement and engineering were also recommended. This demonstration project is being used to develop a statewide program for increasing bicycling and walking to school. The Maine DOT has set aside funds for program implementation at the local level.
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